Describe one model or theory of one cognitive process

Memory is a cognitive process which can be described through the Multi-store Model, set up by Atkinson and Shiffrin. Memory is a cognitive process of recording and storing environmental events and processes. Memory was first conceptualized in the Multi-store Model. The model is composed of the Sensory memory, Short-term memory and Long-term memory. However, what is important is how these function individually and how they communicate between each other. First, an individual makes use of the sensory memory which picks up signals from the senses; these are modality specific, i.e. the sense has a unique domain attached to it in order for the memory to distinguish it. Once the information from the environment has entered the sensory memory, it stays there for a few seconds after which it is either selected into short-term memory or decayed (lost). If the information is selected, it will now find itself in the short-term memory (STM). The STM is a small store; it can store up to seven memory items at a time. However, the STM also has a displacement mechanism which will get rid of any 'unattended' memory. Here comes the important aspect of rehearsal. Rehearsal is what encodes memory into the long-term memory (LTM). When we study, we often repeat a section in order for it to last longer in our memory. This is the role of rehearsal. Finally, the LTM is an endless storage space for memory. What is important to note is that memory is not stored as images, rather it is stored with many gaps which will later be filled in upon the retrieval of that memory; this is what we call 'reconstruction'. What this suggests is that: (1) memory is not 100% accurate and (2) that the LTM is only a storage and if we want to use memory we have to retrieve that memory back into the STM and fill in the gaps. The Multi-store Model of memory describes the early attempts at mapping human memory processes from the beginning to the end. The model, however, offers limited explanation of individual components of the memory system.